How Much Should You Spend on Your Honeymoon?

You just dropped roughly $40k on your wedding and you start to wonder just where it all went. The flowers. The food. The booze. So much of the had-earned money just went into your friend’s gullet, or died. Now it’s time to splurge on yourself and take two weeks to go anywhere you want and do anything you’d like.

But how much should you spend on your honeymoon?

A good way to figure is to spend about a one-month salary. That can be a lot of money for the wealthier readers, but for most that’s anywhere from $2500-$10,000. One month works out well because you are actually saving on some of the food you normally purchase at home and spend it on dinners on vacation. That isn’t a savings as much as a reallocation, but you can approximate you need to save, or hold onto, about a half-month’s salary in order to not climb into any severe credit card debt.

The real key is finding where to save and where to splurge. For many, the accommodations are some of the most expensive features of a vacation, but regardless of where you are in the world and your budget $200 should earn you a VERY nice stay. Hotels on Waikiki average $180, though the luxury resorts can run much higher. In many honeymoon spots the nicer suites might seem appealing but most offer little more than extra floor space and a bigger tub.

The best way to save is to sleep in! Yes, you just need to be lazy to save money. The hotel may or may not offer breakfast but almost every resort has a midday meal that can be sweeter than a normal lunch. This meal, plus an afternoon snack will give you more money to spend on good food and booze at dinner. I don’t know about you guys but I’d rather eat a 24 ounce porterhouse cooked the way I like it, than have to eat a cheeseburger because I had big breakfast and dinner.

The other costs of a honeymoon can vary dramatically depending on location. Assuming a beach vacation one of the best things you can do it find a hotel or condo that offer free rentals of umbrellas, snorkeling gear and beach towels. Those costs can add up and create another $30 per day in ancillary expenses (that’s one porterhouse).

Be sure to keep a budget and stay mindful of the amount while on vacation. Don’t save receipts and add dollars and sense, just be sure to keep a general amount in mind, do quick math and stay within 15-percent of that number.

Oh, and try to enjoy yourself!

This article is submitted by Jake Albright. Jake spent his late twenties in LA in a loving and committed relationship. Now bi-coastal, and once-again single, Jake has used his experiences to become the lead writer for the site DatingWebsites.com. A former college athlete, he now spends his extra time traveling to visit friends and take new adventures.